We are really sorry we could not empty your bin(s) on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday (11-13 December) due to the slippery and icy conditions.

If we have missed your bin(s) this week, please leave them out and we'll do our best to empty them later this week and into next week. We will also take away any side waste left by your bin.

We will assess conditions first thing tomorrow (Thursday) morning, and will hopefully start with Monday's missed rounds. Our first priority will be to collect any missed blue or black bins. Missed brown bins will be collected in the new year.

Once again we are sorry for the inconvenience and would like to thank all our residents for their patience and understanding.

All our leisure centres are open as normal today

All of our leisure centres are open as normal today (Wednesday 13 December). This includes Burntwood Leisure Centre, Friary Grange Leisure Centre and King Edward VI Leisure Centre.

Gritting – find out more at www.staffordshire.gov.uk

Our partners Staffordshire County Council are responsible for gritting local roads and streets. To find out more visit www.staffordshire.gov.uk

New garden waste service - sign up from 15 December 2017

You can sign up to our new garden waste service from 15 December 2017. Visit www.lichfielddc.gov.uk/mygardenbin to find out more and register to receive an email when the sign-up form goes live. Thank you.

Contact

For urgent enquiries that are out of hours please call 07834 951630 or 07813 024272.

Water level to be lowered at two historic city pools

The water levels of Minster Pool and Stowe Pool are set to be lowered on Monday 4 December as part of a trial, ahead of works to remove a build-up of leaves and silt at Minster Pool.

As part of its programme of maintenance, Lichfield District Council has arranged for the Dam Street side of Minster Pool to be cleared of years’ worth of debris.

In preparation for the clean-up, the water levels of the two pools will need to be lowered to check that the works to Minster Pool can take place.

On Monday 4 December, visitors to Minster Pool and Stowe Pool will notice that the water levels of both pools will drop. This is expected to only be for a short period, as the pools should fill up naturally to their normal levels over the following days.

Once the council has confirmed the water can be lowered to the required level, it will arrange for contractors to start the clean-up works to Minster Pool at a later date.

This will include removing several tonnes of leaves and silt, which is expected to add up to two coach-loads of organic waste in just one day.

The work will also include emptying and cleaning the pipe (culvert) that feeds the water into Stowe Pool. The weir inside Minster Pool will also get the cleaning treatment.

The water level will need to be dropped again in both pools to allow the works to take place. Minster Walk is expected to remain open throughout.

Councillor Iain Eadie, Cabinet Member for Leisure, said:

“This de-silting process is vital to the long-term health of Minster Pool, which is a key destination for locals and visitors.

“It’s incredible to think that so much waste has built up over time, and we’re interested to see if there are any finds at the bottom of the pool. It’s also a great chance to see a number of historic brick shafts in Minster Pool, which lowering the water will reveal.

“We hope everyone will bear with us while we carry out these important works to one of Lichfield’s most impressive landmarks.”